Former S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens has shown herself to be a doting mother as she celebrated her eldest daughter Amelie's milestone 15th birthday this weekend. The 47-year-old singer took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute that quickly caught fans' attention for more than just the emotional message.
Striking Family Resemblance Stuns Fans
Rachel Stevens shared several photographs of her daughter Amelie on Instagram to mark the special occasion, prompting an immediate reaction from followers who were astonished by the pair's similarity. The comment section quickly filled with remarks about their identical appearance, with one fan writing 'she is your double' and another noting 'God really said "copy and paste"'.
The singer, who shares two daughters - Amelie and 11-year-old Minnie - with her former husband Alex Bourne, penned an emotional caption expressing both pride and the challenges of parenting a teenager. '15 today! What can I say Ams. Firstly… If I'm honest, I could really do with a guide book to help me out when it comes to these teen age years… You definitely keep me on my toes!' she wrote.
Navigating Family Changes and Personal Growth
The birthday celebration comes during a period of significant change for the Stevens family. Rachel announced her separation from childhood sweetheart Alex Bourne in July 2022, just one month before what would have been their 13th wedding anniversary. The former couple had originally tied the knot at Claridge's in London in 2009, with Rachel's S Club 7 bandmates in attendance.
More recently, the singer ended her three-year relationship with Dancing On Ice's Brendyn Hatfield last month, finding herself single again. In her birthday message to Amelie, Rachel acknowledged the difficulties they've faced together, writing: 'Navigating life together is not always easy but it's definitely an adventure and a learning journey for us both.'
She added: 'Being your mum has taught me so much and I'm excited for us to keep learning and growing alongside each other.'
Moving Forward with Hope and Resilience
In a recent appearance on HELLO!'s Second Act podcast, Rachel Stevens opened up about the emotional challenges she's faced since her marriage ended. The singer admitted she's still processing the divorce three years later, explaining that she may not have fully grieved the relationship initially.
'I went from being married and then went into another long relationship, and I don't know if I actually fully grieved the loss of my marriage,' she revealed. 'I constantly felt like my nervous system was on fight or flight.'
Despite these challenges, Rachel remains optimistic about love, describing herself as a 'hopeless romantic' who still believes in finding that 'movie love'. She's also looking forward to turning 50 in the coming years, embracing the wisdom that comes with age.
Meanwhile, her ex-husband Alex Bourne is preparing to welcome a baby with his new wife, art dealer Lily, 31. The couple got engaged last summer on Hampstead Heath, with Rachel and Alex's daughters Amelie and Minnie serving as bridesmaids at their wedding.
Through all the family changes, Rachel's focus remains firmly on her daughters and their wellbeing. She concluded her birthday message to Amelie with warm wishes: 'Happy birthday my darling girl. I hope this year is your best one yet and that your wishes and dreams come true always. Love you with all my heart.'
